A guide to private dining rooms in Brisbane

Feeling like a VIP is enough to elevate anyone’s dining experience. Thankfully, many of Brisbane’s favourite restaurants offer dedicated private dining rooms and function spaces that will take impressing your corporate lunch or dinner guests to the next level.

The best part? These venues have already done the hard work for you – creating menus that showcase Brisbane’s surrounding food bowl, pairing it with incredible (some even award-winning) wine lists, and delighting guests in an exclusive space.

It all feels very illicit as you step inside Baedeker. Housed inside a heritage-listed building on Constance St in Fortitude Valley, Baedeker’s interior makes it feel like you’re in an underground bar in the 1920s. Outside, the private Champagne Garden can seat up to 120 guests, but the real hero – especially for smaller groups – is the mysterious Cellar.

Entry into The Cellar is only possible via a secret door. The intimate space’s warm furnishings and interiors, combined with an extensive, exclusive wine list plus high-end whiskeys, make it feel all very Godfather-like, and whoever is lucky enough to sit at the head of the table will undoubtedly feel like they’re Don Corleone.

Best for: A grand feast around the large, custom wooden tableWhat’s on the menu: Two and three-course menu, degustation with matching wine

Blackbird’s design is inspired by the 1920s prohibition period, and the private function rooms are a melange of classic meets modern. The walls of the Champagne Room and the Cellar Room are lined with bottles of wine while the more contemporary Deco Room features metallic, printed wallpaper and expansive views of the lively Eagle St Pier.

Best for: Meat-heavy mains from the grill or super-large groupsWhat’s on the menu: Two or three-course menu, feast, degustation

Opulent. Smooth. Clandestine – all words that spring to mind as you step inside the underground Boom Boom Room’s private dining spaces. Guests will be in awe as they sit around the dazzling Rex Table beneath a giant chandelier in the Trumpet Room, or sip on cocktails inspired by Ol’ Blue Eyes himself in The Vaults that - as the name suggests - were originally bank vaults in the 1920s.

Best for: A classy affair that runs as smoothly as one of the damn fine whiskeys on offerWhat’s on the menu: Mouth-watering appetisers, sit-down menus and an inspired cocktail list

Cha Cha Char has established itself as Brisbane’s signature steakhouse and the place to go for a consistently excellent piece of beef. With 10 different cuts to choose from, it’s enough to make any carnivore’s mouth water. There’s more to discover than steak though, with a selection of two and three-course menus available, but as a true as well as a four-course wagyu degustation served with matching wines for a truly unforgettable experience.

Best for: A business lunch when the steaks are highWhat’s on the menu: Two and three-course choice menu, four-course wagyu degustation

The glorious Customs House has proudly stood overlooking the Brisbane River since it was built in the late 1880s, and is today a city icon in its own right. Behind those grand Corinthian columns are a number of private dining spaces, all catered for by the award-winning Customs House Restaurant.

Experience the grandeur of days long past in the Sylvia Jones Boardroom – named after the former Lord Mayoress of Brisbane. Dine at the heritage cedar table that seats up to 24 guests with the crystal chandelier twinkling above and the marble fireplace to warm the room (in winter, obviously). For something even more intimate, the Reid Room can seat up to 10 guests and features the only remaining brass light fitting from when electric lighting was first installed in the building.

Best for: Functions of all sizes in heritage surroundsWhat’s on the menu: Two and three-course menus

The feeling when stepping through the large wooden doors with brass handles into Donna Chang’s can only be described as one of grandeur. Ascend the staircase and you’ll find three private dining rooms whose ornately detailed ceilings and clay chandeliers pay tribute to the building’s heritage. The modern Chinese menu pairs perfectly with the art-deco inspired furnishings.

Best for: An elegant and unforgettable dining experience in a heritage settingWhat’s on the menu: Banquet menus showcasing modern Chinese cuisine

The bold and sleek e’cco bistro has been a Brisbane institution of more than 20 years, and has re-opened its doors in Newstead. The restaurant’s sleek fit-out complements the restaurant’s refined menu, consisting of both a la carte or the Chef’s five-course tasting menu. Dining here should be high on any Brisbane bucket list and if dessert is on the menu, don’t go past the strawberry and raspberry cheesecake.

Best for: Sleek bistro foodWhat’s on the menu: a la carte or Chef’s tasting menu

Dine amongst friends in Gerard’s Bistro’s private dining room over a bold and tasty banquet menu that celebrates Middle Eastern cuisine with a modern twist. Hidden behind the mosaic wall, the room offers a private cache to enjoy one of Brisbane’s must-visit restaurants – from the suckling pig to the slow-roasted brisket – with a glass of wine or two of course.

Best for: A bold and refined meal best shared amongst friendsWhat’s on the menu: Banquet dining

Michelin-starred chef Manjunath Mural has brought his signature Asian-Indian cuisine to Brisbane in the form of Heritij, serving modern and authentic cuisine, complete with a sleek fit out and spectacular river views. There’s no sacrifice of flavour for refinement here though, from the Sambal Barramundi or Paneer Pasanda starters to the meat and vegetarian curry tasting plates - the Chicken Makhna will be talked about for days.

Best for: A modern and classy take on a favourite cuisineWhat’s on the menu: a la carte or 3 and 4 four course feasting menu

Seafood lovers, rejoice. Awarded Australia’s Best Seafood Restaurant at the 2013 National Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering Awards, Jellyfish aims to source and serve between eight and 14 species of fish daily. The restaurant’s private dining room has spectacular riverfront views and is able to seat 22 guests on a single long table, or up to 35 sit-down.

Best for: A truly incredible seafood experience by the waterWhat’s on the menu: Seafood degustation with Henschke wine experience, three-course set menu, seasonal banquet menu

The Red Lantern Room at Madame Wu ticks all the boxes for a small and private sit-down function. Seating up to 26 guests, the views looking out over the Brisbane River and across to the Kangaroo Point Cliffs are spectacular. Choose from two banquet menus designed by the restaurant’s executive chef that showcase some of the best of Asian fusion. Just make sure that Moreton Bay bug dumplings are on the menu.

Best for: A cultural fusion by the riverWhat’s on the menu: Banquet menus

Housed inside the heritage-listed Wenley House, Malt Dining’s private dining is elegant and warm. Vintage bottles of wine and champagne line the walls of The Cellar, with a single long timber table seating up to 20 guests as the centrepiece. For a larger private function, the exposed brick and beams in the Attic Restaurant showcase the building’s history, complete with a baby grand piano in the corner. Sample the chef’s amuse bouche degustation menu, or opt for the two, three or four-course menu.

Best for: Dining amid a slice of Brisbane’s historyWhat’s on the menu: Two, three or four-course set menus

The Greek Club has become a Brisbane institution in its own right and signature restaurant Nostimo – tasty in Greek – is modern Greek at its finest. Devour the mouth-watering banquet dishes created by Chef David Tsirekas in the intimate, 12-person private dining room surrounded by just some of the 15,000 worry beads cascading from the ceiling.

Best for: A modern take on traditional Greek diningWhat’s on the menu: Banquet menu

Historically the officially residence of the Governor of Queensland, Old Government House was built in the 1860s and was Queensland’s first public building. Old Government House has been restored to its former glory creating an elegant venue that overlooks the City Botanic Gardens. Guests will be transported back in time in the Dining Room and the Drawing Room, with the original fireplace, high ceilings and wrap-around verandahs giving a snapshot into the grand Queensland homes of years gone by.

The Billiard Room offers a private entrance, offering guests an extra touch of VIP treatment. The original wood paneling in the room has recently been restored, and guests will be dining on a piece of history – the dining room table is the original from when Old Government House was built.

Best for: Elegant and sophisticated setting in a slice of Brisbane’s historyWhat’s on the menu: Catering is offered by three catering companies – menus are subject to caterer

The experience at OTTO will delight guests from start to finish. Overlooking Brisbane River and Customs House, OTTO’s private dining room offers an intimate space without distancing diners from the buzz of the kitchen. Inspired by Southern Italian cuisine, OTTO’s menu is complemented by an extensive and award-winning wine list that will impress the wine connoisseurs in the group. Sit back and be mesmerised by the restaurant’s riverside views and twirling magenta fan lights.

Best for: A highly impressive dinner with a viewWhat’s on the menu: Two-course lunch and three-course dinner menu

The private dining room at Pony is completely screened off from the main dining area but ensures guests are able to take in the buzz of the venue and the action in and around Eagle Street Pier while enjoying a private function. Pony’s menu showcases the best of Australian produce and is designed to be shared.

Best for: Rustic, please-everyone share dishesWhat’s on the menu: Starters to share + main course

The Port Office Hotel has been a Brisbane institution since 1909 but has been a meeting place since 1864 when it was the Shamrock Hotel. Today, it is a heritage-listed venue and renovations have maintained and highlighted a typically-Queensland theme Queensland theme – light, warm and welcoming. The Wine Room offers total privacy to small sit-down groups, with the menus showcasing meats cooked on the rotisserie that Executive Chef Graham Waddell has had imported specially from France.

Best for: Unfussy gastropub dining in the heart of Brisbane CBDWhat’s on the menu: Two, three, four-course menu

Designed to create a New York atmosphere in Brisbane City, Public is all about innovative food and drinks in a relaxed yet utterly chic setting. The menu at Public is designed to share, but it may be difficult to convince guests to share their famous KFD (Kentucky Fried Duck).

Best for: Classic favourites with a twistWhat’s on the menu: Banquet menus, designed to share

The Podium 5 room at Rydges South Bank is a more intimate option for a smaller dining group. Take a seat under the dazzling chandeliers and be wowed by the two and three-course menus, before relocating to the leather couches for a nightcap. To top it off, getting home won’t be a problem if guests are staying in the hotel.

Best for: An intimate dinner near the Convention CentreWhat’s on the menu: Two and three-course menu

Housed inside a heritage-listed former 1920s doctor's surgery, the interiors of Ovolo Inchcolm Brisbane take their inspiration from an early twentieth-century Parisian salon. Step back in time to the Gatsby era in the Foxtrot Room where the dining experience is elegant and intimate – seating up to just 12 guests. The restaurant offers the a la carte menu for group dining, but the five or eight-course tasting menu paired with matching wines will complete the elegant atmosphere that the room sets out to create.

Best for: a fine dining experience that will linger long in the memoryWhat’s on the menu: A la carte menu or tasting menu

Dishing out truly modern Japanese, Sake’s sleek decor and fusion techniques will impress. The restaurant’s menu is courtesy of self-confessed Japanophile Neil Perry and here the private dining options are elegant and intimate. The Washi room seats up to 14 with natural light by day and spectacular city views by night. The Kawa room uses slatted partitions to separate up to 24 guests from the main dining room without cutting them off from the atmosphere of the restaurant. For smaller groups, there are three Ita Mae rooms, which each seat up to six guests.

Best for: Exquisite contemporary Japanese diningWhat’s on the menu: Chef’s Omakase (designed to suit your preferences) or the Chef’s New Classics

French-inspired dining is at its finest at Sofitel Brisbane Central and the award-winning Prive249 restaurant exudes French elegance. Dine with a view overlooking the city from the Governor's Room on the 30th floor, or take advantage of the natural light in the Concorde Room.

Best for: A classic French experience in the heart of BrisbaneWhat's on the menu: Two or three-course set menu

To impress the larger groups with some of Brisbane’s best views without being in the hustle and bustle of the CBD, look no further than StokehouseQ. The Mezzanine Room can seat up to 60 and offers panoramic views of the river and twinkling lights of the CBD. The Palm Room takes advantage of Brisbane’s balmy evenings, seating up to 50 without fully exposing guests to the elements.

Best for: Relaxed luxury dining on the waterfrontWhat’s on the menu: Set three-course menus that showcase locally-sourced produce

It doesn’t get more elegant – or exclusive – than Tattersall’s Function Centre. For more intimate events, think the old-world style of the Chandelier Room, or dine beneath the Waterford chandelier in the Needham Room. Here, the atmosphere is charming and the quality is outstanding, with special mention to the carefully-crafted wine list.

Best for: Dining in style amongst a slice of historyWhat’s on the menu: Two or three course set meus

The Alliance Hotel has been serving Brisbane since its establishment in 1864 and in its current grand building since 1888. Just off the main bistro, Headquarters can seat up to 16 along a French-provincial table complete with a dazzling chandelier and brick fireplace to set the scene. We can’t go past the exclusive Chef’s Table menu, which includes a local Darling Downs Roast Suckling Pig set in the middle of the table. Upstairs, the Leichardt Room can seat groups larger than 16 or The Cellar seats 24 guests along one long dining table.

Best for: Gastropub showcasing local produceWhat’s on the menu: A la carte menu or Chef’s Table menu

The Regatta has seemingly countless options to suit any style of event and has hosted more than its fair share since opening in 1874. For a private sit-down meal, the Winterford Room can seat up to 24 guests. It has balcony access with river views and is enhanced by the jacaranda trees when in bloom. Downstairs in the Boatshed Restaurant, the Henley Room doubles as a wine cellar, seating up to 22 people or for the smaller groups, the Gazzard Room can seat up to 16 guests and offers a private verandah.

Best for: A refined Aussie pub experienceWhat’s on the menu: Two and three-course alternate drop menu

Dining in one of Brisbane’s grandest buildings is an experience in itself, but the private dining options are second to none. The elegant Ryan’s Private Dining Room provides an elegant and charming private dining option, seating up to 60 guests and overlooking Queens Park. A real slice of history is the Cabinet Room which – as the name suggests – is the former meeting place of State Cabinet. Wine and dine your guests around the magnificent Queensland maple boardroom table where some of the state’s most important historical gatherings have occurred in years gone by.

Best for: A variety of cuisines and choices at one venueWhat’s on the menu: Tailored menu

Downstairs in the much-loved and award-winning Urbane restaurant is the cellar-style private dining space Sub-Urbane. The 100-year old stone walls and polished concrete floors, combined with panels that offer a glimpse into the restaurant’s cellar, set the scene for the restaurant’s five or eight-course degustation.

Best for: Experiencing one of Brisbane’s top restaurants as a groupWhat’s on the menu: Five or eight-course degustation with matching wines

A wall of wine is always a great addition to any private dining space and the Hilton’s Vintaged Bar and Grill has some exquisite offerings – the collection is made up of the 1000-bottle collection featured in the Wine Room. The private dining room can seat up to 14 guests and has floor-to-ceiling glass windows that allow for guests to remain a part of the restaurant’s ambiance.

Best for: Sleek dining in the heart of Brisbane CBDWhat’s on the menu: Two or three-course menu

In Old Mineral House and overlooking the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, Walter’s Steakhouse is named after Walter Hill, the man who created the beautiful gardens that locals and visitors love today. In a throwback to formal dinner parties of days gone by, the dark timber furnishings create an elegant and refined atmosphere.

Best for: A warm and hearty dining experience with a dash of class and a drop of grandeurWhat’s on the menu: Banquet or three course alternate drop

Step off the streets of Woolloongabba and into the basement-level wine cellar that doubles as the restaurant’s private function space. Housed in the heritage-listed Moreton Rubber Works building (circa 1889), the rustic space aims to invoke a sense of the great enoteche of Roma, from the warm lighting to the cool brick to the Roman prints on the walls.

Vintage bottles line the 120-year old brick walls, complete with a chandelier and wrought iron gates. The long timber dining table can seat up to 42 guests, with a three-course dining option available for groups between 8-24 guests. Our pick though? The famiglia a tavola option – meaning “the family table”, this is a four-course traditional Italian menu for larger groups of 10-42 guests, designed to encourage a warm atmosphere while feasting.

Best for: Epic wines in a private cellarWhat’s on the menu: Three-course dining or the four-course famiglia a tavola

Capacity: 42 pax

Planning an event in Brisbane? Check out the Brisbane Event Planner for more information on Brisbane venues, accommodation and services, all in one place.

These iconic Brisbane venues have stood the test of time, earning their place on the city’s landscape and offering spaces from cocktail receptions to boardroom meetings, to conference spaces to private dinners.

These iconic Brisbane venues have stood the test of time, earning their place on the city’s landscape and offering spaces from cocktail receptions to boardroom meetings, to conference spaces to private dinners.

Brisbane, Australia, is a thriving multicultural city and successful host of the 2014 G20 Leaders Summit. A global hub in scientific innovation, mining and resources, technology, education, meetings and incentives and cultural attractions, Brisbane is committed to strengthening international trade and commerce.